According to the Korea Forest Service (KFS) on Wednesday, according to new plans for urban green infrastructure over two rows of trees will be planted along streets across the country as part of efforts to reduce fine dust levels in urban environments. (Image: KFS)
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Environmental authorities in South Korea will tackle fine dust problems by planting a double row of trees along streets nationwide.
According to the Korea Forest Service (KFS) on Wednesday, according to new plans for urban green infrastructure over two rows of trees will be planted along streets across the country as part of efforts to reduce fine dust levels in urban environments.
The latest move by the KFS comes following reports that the fine dust levels around urban forests are on average 25.6 percent lower, while the figure for ultra-fine dust particles is 40.9 percent lower than other urban areas.
In addition, underdeveloped areas in cities including spaces surrounding schools such as walls and rooftops will be developed into urban forests to create more green space.
The new set of infrastructure projects includes plans to build a score of urban gardens in by 2020, which will be easily accessed by the public, while up to 100 privately-owned gardens will be made open to the public over the same period of time.
Efforts to create green spaces will continue at home too, as gardening consultants will be trained to provide knowledge and help for those wanting to grow plants at home for air purifying features amid growing threats of fine dust particles.
Under the new plan, 25 select urban forests will be designated as activity spaces for companies devoted to environmental causes, while the number of urban forest managers will be increased from 171 to 1,536 by 2022, and meditation forest coordinators from 54 to 787.
On the outskirts of urban forests, trees with effective air purifying features will be planted to reduce fine dust levels, while planting forests will be encouraged in the suburbs in the form of greenbelts, for instance.
Needle leaf trees are much more effective at absorbing fine dust particles than broadleaf trees, according to experts.
Environmental authorities in South Korea will tackle fine dust problems by planting a double row of trees along streets nationwide. (Image: KFS)
Along with urban planning efforts, the KFS plans to roll out policy designed to encourage private citizens and companies to plant more trees and plants over the next few years.
“By gathering information from different groups of people and working together with other government branches, we hope to create a city in a forest free from fine dust issues, and eventually a Korea in a forest,” said Kim Jae-hyun, the head of the Korea Forestry Service.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
